Despite demands from TRS and the Telangana Joint Action Committee (JAC) to stay away from Andhra Pradesh Formation Day functions on November one, State ministers from Telangana today said they would participate in the celebrations.
“We also want separate Telangana. But it is our responsibility to take part in the Formation Day celebrations as long as the State is united. It has been a tradition to observe the formation day and it will continue,” Information Technology, Minister K Venkata Reddy told reporters.
“The students and other Telangana protagonists should remember that we will try to achieve separate statehood by convincing our high command,” he said.
Taking exception to the opposition of TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao to the Formation Day, Health Minister D Nagender asked why did not he object to the celebrations when he was a Union Minister or Deputy Speaker in the TDP government.
“Why he never spoke about Telangana or Formation Day when he was Deputy Speaker of the Assembly during TDP rule or when he was the Union Minister,” he asked.
The TRS and the Telangana JAC, comprising TRS and various people’s organisations, have asked people to observe November one as ‘Betrayal Day’.
The JAC had earlier announced a series of protests against the Formation Day. The JAC Convener M Kodandaram today released a poster for the Formation Day protests.
Congress Lok Sabha member from Peddapally G Vivek, however, said the party MPs, MLAs and others have decided to stay away from the celebrations.
“We have decided not to participate in the Formation Day celebrations. Because, we want to celebrate Telangana formation day. Ministers will participate in the AP formation day celebrations because they are in government,” Mr. Vivek said.
